A: The EZShield Check Fraud Protection Program® (EZShield® or "Program") is an affordable and easy way to safeguard your personal checks from fraud.

In the event of fraud, EZShield® advances funds within 72 hours, to a maximum of $25,000 for all checks, regardless of the number of checks for which the requests for advance of funds are presented and/or the number of requests made.

EZShield® applies to checks only and only to the checks purchased. It does not and will not apply to deposit tickets and checks not included in a pack of checks for which EZShield® was purchased, even if such checks were also purchased from your check printer. EZShield® only applies to checks actually utilized as checks for a specific transaction. To receive funds from EZShield® in the event of fraud, the fraud must be committed in the US and must be reported to law enforcement authorities as evidenced by a police report.

EZShield® is designed to advance funds for losses in the event of check fraud. With EZShield®, you will not need to seek any reimbursement from your bank/financial institution.

Check fraud continues to be on the rise in this country. With EZShield®, you'll enjoy peace of mind knowing you have help in the event you are a victim of these three major types of check fraud:

Forged Signatures. EZShield® applies to legitimate blank checks that are forged with your signature, as the payer, that results in a debit to your checking account.

Forged Endorsements. EZShield® applies to a legitimate check that is endorsed and cashed or deposited by someone other than the designated payee based upon a fraudulent and false endorsement. EZShield®, however, does not apply to a check that bears a legitimate original endorsement that is secondarily fraudulently endorsed.

Altered Checks. EZShield® applies to legitimate checks that contain altered information such as the payee identification, check amount, or that are otherwise altered to benefit the party altering the check.

A: If you're the victim of check fraud, it's easy to submit your case to EZShield®. Simply call 1-866-460-0026 to request a package. All it takes is one phone call; there's no need to call your bank.

A case must be submitted within a reasonable timeframe not to exceed 30 days from the account holder's discovery of the fraud, receipt of a bank statement, or receipt of the returned instrument that reflects the fraud.

Once you've submitted your case, you will be sent a package that will require you to provide certain information and to complete one or more forms, including the following:

1. Advancement Request Form

2. Limited Durable Power of Attorney Form

3. Other forms to document your loss

EZShield® will review the package completed by you and evaluate your request for advancement of funds and/or ask you for additional information. Once the request is processed, funds, in the form of a check, will be advanced within 3 days following receipt of the complete request package. EZShield® will determine the extent to which it will pursue your rights, which you will assign to EZShield®, against your bank/financial institution.

You agree as part of the terms and conditions to cooperate with EZShield® in providing supplemental documentation for not only the initial case but also to facilitate any effort by EZShield® to obtain reimbursement from your bank or other responsible parties, including providing supplemental documentation or appearing for witness testimony at EZShield's® request.